Adaptable Furniture Base

ABSTRACT

Persons with physical impairment often have difficulty maintaining independent living at their own home. Simple daily activities such as getting up and out of a low seat chair can prove problematic. The claimed invention provides a lift system and method of installing the same that the physically impaired person can adapt to and raise a particular piece of furniture with minimal physical effort. The adaptable system includes a pair of lift assemblies, each lift assembly having a first rail member and a second rail member that are slideably engaged on a first end, having a riser on each second end. At each riser location there is a flip out guide that provides a visible pointer to facilitate alignment with the furniture leg without having to bend over or lift the furniture. For increased stability an optional cross member can be fixated between the first and second rail members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims no priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1)

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to adapting standard furniture for use by handicapped individuals. More particularly, the present invention relates to a two part base that adapts for install under standard furniture, thereby raising the sitting level allowing for easier ingress and egress for the physically impaired persons.

Prior Art Discussion

People are living longer, and more of the aging population are living independently at home. Independence often requires the home to be suitable for the daily living of a person having certain physical disabilities. Wider doors, ramps instead of stairs, and elevators in residential homes are all examples of improvements that are commonly made to a house to accommodate the person having limited physical ability. Not all independent living improvements require structural alteration to the home, something as simple as raising standard furniture with a platform for example can help.

A standard seat level for a chair may prove to be too low for many individuals having physical disability, the low seating height can make it difficult stand up. The person with limitations must either buy specialized furniture, or put something under the furniture they already have in order to raise the seating level. Putting a platform under the legs of a chair can raise the seating level while maintaining stability. However, platforms are large and heavy to ship, cumbersome to move, and require a physically strong person to locate the platform, lift up, and then position the chair on a platform.

A lighter option than a platform, a chair raiser is taught by Snyder in U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,328. The Snyder chair raiser having two elongated members, one for each side of the chair. Each member having enclosures on three sides of a flat surface to keep the legs from sliding off the elongated members, and removable pegs that provide adaption to various chair leg configurations. To install removable pegs are taken out to make room for the chair legs. To determine which pegs need removing to adapt to the particular chair, the chair has to be tipped over or lifted all the way up. The Snyder chair raiser along with other prior art furniture platforms all require a physically able person to install and set the chair.

There is an unsatisfied need in the prior art for a furniture riser that is small and light to ship, adapts and adjusts to standard furniture, installs with minimal physical strength and dexterity, and stabilizes the furniture during egress and ingress.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One object of the invention is to elevate and stabilize standard furniture for easier use by physically impaired people. A second object is to enable physically impaired persons with a adaptable riser that they can install under a piece of furniture with minimal physical effort. A third object is to provide a device that breaks down and fits within a small economy shipping box. A fourth object involves a set of guides that visually aid the sizing and adaption of the device to a piece of furniture without turning the furniture over, or lifting it up.

The adaptable system includes a pair of lift assemblies, each lift assembly having a first rail member and a second rail member that are slideably engaged on a first end, having a riser on each second end. At each riser location there is a flip out guide that provides a visible pointer for alignment with the furniture leg. Once the guides are aligned with the legs, the rail members are locked together thereby adapting the lift assemblies to the furniture. Once locked, the user rotates the furniture on two legs, and slides the first lift assembly under the raised supports using the guides to visually align the riser under the leg end without having to bend over or look under the furniture. Once the first lift assembly is installed, the user rotates the furniture onto the first lift assembly and slides the second lift assembly under the raised supports in the same way but from the other side. Once so located, the user rotates the furniture down so that all four risers are under all four support legs of the chair, and the standard height furniture is elevated. An optional cross member may be fixated between the first and second lift assemblies for additional stability.

For a more detailed disclosure of the invention and for further objects and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pair of lift assemblies adapted for install under a chair.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed close up perspective illustration of one of the lift assemblies in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A-3D is a series of front views of chair being tipped to receive the adapted lift assemblies under it's supports.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective of one lift assembly.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective of a second embodiment of the lift assemblies with a cross member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the adaptable system for raising the seating height of furniture has been disclosed in certain embodiments having detailed descriptions, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that modifications or variations of such details can be made without deviating from the crux of this invention, and variations of the disclosed system and apparatus are considered to be within the scope of the claims provided herein. The invention disclosed herein is not limited for use with the types of furniture shown in the figures. Instead, the adaptable system is applicable for use on any legged furniture, rail supported or rocker type supported furniture. From a four legged lounger to a recliner, the invention provides an adaptable furniture riser option.

As depicted in the preferred embodiment in FIG. 1 and in close up view in FIG. 2, each lift assembly 5 is locatable on either side of the furniture 2, and then adapted by slideable motion 60 as shown in FIG. 4 such that the supports 3 are aligned with the risers 80 and installed upon the same as shown in sequence in FIGS. 3A-3D. The adaptability of the lift assembly 5 is provided by a first rail member 10 and a second rail member 20 that are slideably engaged at a first end 30, having a riser 80 on each distal second end 40. Each second end 40 includes a guide 70 at the riser 80 location that projects substantially perpendicular to the slideable motion 60 between the first rail member 10 and second rail member 20.

As depicted by close up perspective view in FIG. 2, the guide 70 acts as a visual or mechanical indicator as to where the riser 80 is located relative to the furniture support 3. To adapt a lift assembly 5 for use with a particular piece of furniture, the lift assembly 5 is placed on the floor adjacent to the furniture 3. The user aligns the guides 70 with the supports 3 by sliding the first rail member 10 relative to the second rail member 20 as depicted in FIG. 4. Once aligned, the user sets a locking mechanism 50 thereby adapting the lift assembly 5 to the furniture 2 supports 3. The entire process can be performed by standing above, sitting in the chair, or leaning on the side, all without kneeling on the floor, and without having to lift or turn over the furniture 2. After the locking mechanism 50 is set, the first rail member 10 and second rail member 20 are located in relative location, the guides 70 are then removed or folded under out of sight, and the lift assembly 5 is adapted and ready for install under the furniture 2 as illustrated in a series of steps shown in FIG. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D.

The preferred install process as shown in FIG. 3A-3D, the furniture 2 is rotated 50 such that two of the supports 3 come off of the floor while the other two remain on the floor. This tipping onto to supports 3 can be performed by the installer sitting on the furniture, or by the installer standing at the side. The process includes rotating the furniture 2 upon two of it's leg supports 3, and sliding 55 one adapted lift assembly 5 under the furniture 2 and then tipping the furniture 2 the other way to set down the lifted leg supports 3 onto the risers. Then rotating the opposite was to make space for the other lift assembly 5, under the other support legs 3 such that the risers 80 are located under the supports 3 as depicted in FIG. 3D once the furniture 2 is rotated back down. In this way the lift assemblies 5 are installed under the furniture 2 without ever having to lift it entirely off of the floor, or flip it over onto it's side. The physical strength needed to rotate 50 onto two leg supports 3 is substantially less than the strength needed to lift an entire piece of furniture 2.

In FIG. 4 a side perspective view of the a lift assembly 5 showing the slideable motion 60 between the first rail member 10 and the second rail member 20 that provides adaption of the lift assembly 5 to various furniture 2 types. The slideable motion 60 between the first rail member 10 and second rail member 20 provides linear adjustment between the distal ends 40 where the risers 80 are located, allowing for adaption to large furniture such as couches, or smaller furniture such as chairs. When stored or shipped, the lift assembly 5 reduces in size with the first rail member 10 sliding 60 within the second rail member 20 having the locking mechanism 50 securing position until use. The locking mechanism 50 can be a threaded wingnut as shown, or other similar functioning fixator. As depicted, the risers 80 are constructed from suitable mediums to include plastics, sheet metal or rubber or combinations of each. In yet other embodiments the risers 80 include a spring member that is vertically disposed such that the furniture 2 is lifted up by the riser 80 as the person stands, thereby giving the person a boost from the sitting position. In yet other embodiments the risers 80 are constructed from resilient rubber, the type that is commonly used in suspension components for automobiles.

In a second embodiment having risers 80 shaped to receive rail type furniture 2 supports 3 is shown in FIG. 5 having a cross member 90 installed between the lift assemblies 5 for greater stability. The two lift assemblies 5 are fixated together by an adjustable cross member 90 that attaches to the first rail member 10 and a second rail member 20.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the principles of the disclosed invention as defined in the accompanying claims. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be adapted with many modifications of form, structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, elements, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific furniture types without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not limited to the foregoing description. 

I claim:
 1. An adaptable system for raising the seating height of furniture, the adaptable system comprising: a pair of lift assemblies, each lift assembly having a first rail member and a second rail member that are slideably engaged on a first end with a riser fixated on each second end; a locking mechanism interacting with the first rail member and second rail member such that when engaged, the locking mechanism fixates the relative position of the first rail member and second rail member; and at least one guide operably projecting from a riser.
 2. A method for raising the seating height of furniture through the use of two adaptable lift assemblies, comprising the steps of: locating a first lift assembly having a slideably engaged first and second rail member with risers on their distal ends on the floor adjacent to the right side of the furniture to be raised; aligning the first lift assembly guides with the furniture supports by slideably moving the first rail member relative to the second rail member such that the risers are in alignment with the supports; engaging a lock to fixate the relative position of the first and second rail member of the adapted first lift assembly; locating a second lift assembly having a slideably engaged first and second rail member with risers on their distal ends on the floor adjacent to the left side of the furniture to be raised; aligning the second lift assembly guides with the furniture supports by slideably moving the first rail member relative to the second rail member; engaging a lock to fixate the relative position of the first and second rail member of the adapted second lift assembly; rotating the furniture so that two supports are lifted off of the floor; slipping the first adapted lift assembly under the furniture so that the risers are directly under the lifted supports; counter rotating the furniture until the lifted supports rest on the risers of the first left assembly, and the other supports are lifted off the floor; slipping the second adapted lift assembly under the furniture so that the risers are directly under the lifted supports; and rotating the furniture until all furniture supports are resting upon the risers.
 3. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein each riser includes a mounting structure adapted to receive and secure a furniture support structure.
 4. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein the second rail members include a longitudinal elongated slot having a threaded fastener inserted there through to compressively lock the first rail member to the second rail member when a threaded fastener is rotated, and released when counter rotated.
 5. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein the guide removably attaches to the lift assembly at the riser location.
 6. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein the guide hingedly connects to the lift assembly at the riser location.
 7. The adaptable system of claim 1, further including at least one cross member that attaches between the lift assemblies.
 8. The adaptable system of claim 1, further including at least one adjustable cross member that adjusts to the length between the lift assemblies and fixates there between.
 9. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is operable without tools or additional hardware.
 10. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein the first and second rail members slidably engage one another such that when stored or shipped the first rail member slides within the second rail member thereby providing a smaller compact size when not in use.
 11. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein at least two risers are constructed from resilient rubber.
 12. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein at least two risers include a spring member integrally constructed within the riser.
 13. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein at least two risers include a spring member encased in resilient rubber.
 14. The adaptable system of claim 1, wherein at least two risers are constructed from plastic.
 15. The method of claim 2, further including the step of fixating an adjustable cross member between the first adapted lift assembly and the second adapted lift assembly. 